PUTNAM — Lisa Reardon, LCSW, staff psychotherapist at Day Kimball Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Clinic in Putnam, has been named employee of the month for December.
Reardon began working for DKH nine years ago and has worked in the mental health field for 20 years.
In her role as staff psychotherapist, Reardon is responsible for providing talk therapy to various adult patients with chronic mental health concerns as well as to those coping with life transitions.
Reardon was born in Webster and grew up in Thompson. She lives in Woodstock with her husband, Marty, and son, Lucas, and several pets including a dog, cat and four fish.
Reardon is a licensed clinical social worker and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UConn where she graduated magna cum laude.
She also holds a master’s degree in social work from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.
Living in one of the most forested states in the country means Connecticut residents have a unique appreciation for the value of trees to the landscape. But it also means we understand the devastating impact trees can have on the electric system, with trees accounting for more than 40 percent of all power outages.
In addition to outages, trees can cause substantial damage to property if they fail. That’s why Eversource is reminding property owners to conduct routine tree maintenance and to consult with a licensed arborist for professional advice.
“Many portions of our service area have been experiencing a drought, which further stresses trees that may have also been impacted by insect and pest infestations over the past several years,” said Sean Redding, manager of Vegetation Management for Eversource in Connecticut. “As a result, there is the potential for more tree and limb failures as we approach the winter storm season.”
Just as Eversource conducts routine trimming throughout the state for the safe and reliable delivery of power, property owners can help protect their home and the electric system by routinely trimming the trees on their property that stand near the power lines, but are located outside the company’s trim zone.
The company recommends customers check outside their home for any trees or shrubs that appear weak or need to be trimmed, and contact a contractor qualified to trim vegetation if the trees are near power lines. Before any work is performed, be sure to verify that the contractor is licensed and insured, and complies with all applicable laws, codes, ordinances and/or permits.
“Failing trees or limbs may become dangerous with storm-force winds or the weight of snow and ice buildup, so it’s important to address them before the next severe weather comes our way,” Redding said. “Our tree trimming programs combined with routine tree maintenance conducted by property owners help to keep the lights on during storms, and keep our lineworkers and the public safe from hazardous trees.”
The following are important safety tips for property owners preparing to conduct tree maintenance:
—Before starting any work, locate the power lines going to your meter and any that may run along the road.
— Never attempt to trim any vegetation growing on or near overhead power lines.
— Deadwood is a naturally occurring hazard on some species of trees. Conduct a thorough visual inspection of what is above you before starting seasonal chores like raking leaves, and storing lawn furniture.
— Hire an arborist to evaluate your property and offer professional advice and suggestions for maintaining your trees, similar to any other professional tradesperson.
— Check your local listings to locate a contractor qualified and licensed to trim vegetation around power lines.
— When Eversource responds to restore service during storms and adverse weather, the company performs tree work to clear the power lines so that service may be restored. Property owners should be sure to plan for the cleanup and removal of any fallen limbs or trees.
For more information about Eversource’s scheduled maintenance trimming and tree trimming program, visit Eversource.com.
Then
The Woodstock Academy around 1873. Putnam Town Crier file photos.
& Now
This is The Woodstock Academy now. The tree that used to stand to the left of the building on the left was removed last week.
caption, page 7:
Honored
Members of The Woodstock Academy Unified Sports program display their Special Olympics Unified Champion School banner with Headmaster Chris Sandford, far right, Director of Athletics Aaron Patterson, far left, coach Yori Ayotte, third from left, and team manager Robin Smith, second from right. Courtesy photo.
Woodstock
Academy
honored
WOODSTOCK — The Woodstock Academy’s Unified Sports program has been named a 2017 Unified Champion Banner School by Special Olympics International. The Academy was recognized Dec. 9, at the Unified Leadership Summit at Aetna in Hartford.
Special Olympics Connecticut and the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) combined to make Connecticut one of the first states in the country to participate in the Banner Unified Champion School program.
“I am very proud of our athletes and coaches for the hard work that they have put in to make our Unified Sports program a model for others to follow,” said WA Athletics Director Aaron Patterson. “We are thankful to be recognized for our efforts. Our Unified Sports team has brought value and joy to our institution and it has helped create a culture of acceptance. We are truly blessed to have this program at our school.”
According to the CIAC, to qualify for recognition, a Banner Unified Champion School must: have Unified Sports team(s) that participate(s) in at least two sports seasons; demonstrate Inclusive Youth Leadership; demonstrate Whole School Engagement; and ensure sustainability.
Schools honored receive a large banner that reads “Special Olympics Unified Champion School” and a sticker for that given year. The banners also include open space for future year stickers.
The Woodstock Academy has three unified sports seasons involving 11 unified sports athletes and more than 60 partners that help throughout the year. The Academy offers indoor soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and kickball and bowling in the spring.
Under the direction of coach Yori Ayotte, the program has grown tremendously over the past six years.
“We have grown to the point we don’t have to explain what ‘Unified’ means,” said Ayotte. “The program exists for students with disabilities; however, it is so empowering that many student leaders reach out to create an accepting community. I’m extremely proud and grateful for this community where connecting with different populations is a ‘cool’ thing. For the students with disabilities, memories from unified sports are something that will last for the rest of their lives. They embrace the friendships they develop. For the partners, they learn how to be patient and to accept others. It’s extremely rewarding and it’s a great opportunity for them to build self-confidence and leadership. They are bringing their friends to the team and spreading this positive phenomenon at The Woodstock Academy. It’s a win-win situation for everybody, and it changes the culture of the entire school.”
In addition to the Banner Unified Champion School program, CIAC Special Olympics launched a new program called Youth Council this year in an effort to develop student leaders for Unified Sports/Special Olympics. The Academy is proud that juniors Erica Frost (Brooklyn), junior partner, and Mya Deshaw (Woodstock), junior athlete, have been selected as members and will work as ambassadors for The Academy.